You have marketing money, a high-priced morning show, a great team of promotion staffers, recent research, and a smart consultant (hopefully) – so how come the book went down? That’s the question that PD’s have to face at times like these.
It seems like most of the management books out there focus on motivating the troops. But as all PD’s know, it’s just as challenging to manage "up" – that is, your general manager, as well as the corporate staffers who are rarely in town, but never have a shortage of questions and concerns. It’s all part of the art of management, but nonetheless, never easy to master. It’s easier and easier to pull the trigger, but as has been proved time and time again, being consistent and staying the course are often the smartest moves.
So, sometimes it’s wise to look to other industry icons for inspiration. Is there anyone with a tougher "Managing UP" job than Joe Torre, manager of the Yankees. He reports to perhaps the most fickle and toughest boss of all time, George Steinbrenner. With a payroll that eclipses every other team in the league, and expectations where only a World Series ring will suffice, Torre has the toughest "middle management" job on earth.What’s his secret? When dealing with George’s tirades, Torre simply says, "He just wants to know what’s wrong. If you tell him what’s wrong, he doesn’t necessarily buy into it anyway. He’s got his own preconceived notions of what he expects for what he does." Honest, direct, and obviously, very effective.
President & Founder at Jacobs Media
Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
Latest posts by Fred Jacobs (see all)
- What About Bob? - March 12, 2025
- Inside “3 Minutes” – An Exclusive Interview With Nielsen’s Rich Tunkel - March 11, 2025
- Black Thursday At Audacy - March 10, 2025
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